Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied. The issue of service connection for a cardiac disability as secondary to service-connected disabilities is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to his active duty service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss prior to December 3, 2016, and from that date was denied. The Board found no evidence of a compensable rating prior to December 3, 2016, and no evidence warranting a rating greater than 10 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus the TDIU is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to inadequate medical opinions in the January 2016 rating decision.

The Board has denied service connection for sinus disability, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's left eye swelling (scar from cyst) is remanded due to the need for an examination.,Service connection for residuals of a right chest cyst surgery is also remanded as there was no clarification on whether it occurred on the left or right chest during service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot disability, bilateral eye disability, and initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss have all been denied.,There is no current diagnosis of a bilateral foot disability. The Veteran's bilateral eye disability was not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to withdrawal by the appellant. The appeals for service connection for a psychiatric disability and a right thumb disability are remanded.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and outstanding medical records have not been properly addressed, and thus these matters are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and employment records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting opinions regarding the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss and its relation to service. The VA examiner is requested to provide a new opinion addressing these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU during the period prior to June 19, 2012. However, due to his combined 100% disability rating from June 19, 2012, to May 26, 2017, and October 14, 2019, TDIU is not warranted based on the schedular criteria. The Veteran's file should be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as his claimed condition did not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, rhinitis/sinusitis, stroke, blood clots in the left eye, chest pains, and hypertension are denied. The claim for service connection for PFB is also denied since June 27, 2014. A rating of 40 percent for bilateral hearing loss is granted effective November 13, 2016.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The Board found that the conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence regarding current disabilities and their relationship to service.